Can you imagine being an Israelite? Moses ascended a mountain to spend time with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, and when he returned, he was glowing. Like really. Actually. Legitimately glowing. His face was so bright, he ended up covering it with a veil after each meeting with God so he wouldn’t frighten the people.
The Israelites saw a mere reflection of God’s glory on Moses’ face and it was too radiant to look at. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like.
Before God revealed Himself to Moses, He told him, “...you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). He continues, “When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen” (Exodus 33:22).
If I’m honest, in the middle of my everyday life, I tend to forget about the glory of God. I just don’t think about how awesome and powerful and amazing He is. It kind of makes me long for a Moses moment—to be shown just a glimpse of that glory, to radiate because I’ve been near the Lord.
Maybe instead of longing for it, I need to start looking for God’s glory.
It’s there.
It’s outside my kitchen window—in new life poking through the garden soil. From seed, to plant, to fruit not under its own power but because God, at the beginning of time, spoke plants into creation and developed their complex system of growth that we take for granted.
It’s sitting around my kitchen table—in my five children. Each a combination of my husband and my DNA raised in the same environment, yet completely unique in physical features and personality. God’s creativity on display in each person born, billions and billions of distinct beings created by one God over thousands of years. Not a single one alike.
It’s in the everyday workings of my everyday life—86,400 seconds, each coordinated and connected by God’s sovereign hand. The text a friend sends to check in right at the moment I need it the most. The slimy kiss from my toddler that shifts my mood from burdened to loved.
God’s glory, His face too great to be seen, shines on our lives in little ways every single day.
Lord,
Forgive me for longing for Your glory instead of looking for it. Help me see Your glory this week. Let it reflect on my face and in the way I treat others. Thank You for Your presence in my life and the gift of Your Son Jesus who made it possible for us to have that presence.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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